Crime Watch Update

Dear members,

This week we had an attempted break-in in our neighborhood. Our Utopia security was alerted and responded immediately. The perpetrators broke a window and attempted to enter through the rear door but were not successful. Our officer canvassed the neighborhood and several neighbors heard a noise but failed to report it. Fortunately, one of the neighbors did call 911, reported the incident, and our security heard the call on his radio. Lessons learned – be vigilant and report any out of ordinary activity. The security of Utopia is a community effort, and we should not be complacent because we have a patrol. Your engagement with our patrol is what makes it a safer place.

One of our neighboring communities in the South Grove called a meeting with Mayor Regalado and Commander Gentry, to discuss a spike in crime in their neighborhood. The six block radius that encompasses Loquat, Avocado, Palmetto, Royal Palm, Marler, Franklin and Charles Avenues bordered by Douglas Road and Hibiscus Street has been particularly hard hit. Over the last two months home and vehicular break-ins, invasions, gunpoint assaults, vandalism, thefts, constant discharge of explosives, among other recorded felonies and misdemeanors have been reported. This neighborhood is outside of the Utopia boundaries but is close enough. Let’s keep our guard up and keep the criminals out of Utopia.

Please share this news with your neighbors and encourage them to join the Utopia Homeowners Association in order to expand our patrol hours. Even two or three new members will make a difference! To join, have them contact marioklappholz@comcast.net.

Be safe,

Peter Zubizarreta
President
Utopia Home Owners Association
uhoa10@gmail.com
Website: utopiahoa.com

Garage Sale – Southwest Coconut Grove

Utopia Homeowners Association members are hosting a garage sale! Well, it’s not actually a garage sale, it’s more of a yard sale, but we are cleaning out our garages, closets, and cabinets. You never know what kind of art or artifacts our members have been storing away — now its time to make room for new treasures. Come by and find your own new treasure.

Summer Garage Sale
Saturday August 18
8am to 1pm
at the park on Ventura Ave.


View Larger Map

Open to the public
Free parking

Also, you can help save the mangos. We’re selling baby mango trees for $5 and part of the proceeds goes to benefit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Forwarded From Center Grove Crime Watch

I am posting the content of this notice from the Center Grove Crime Watch.

Stolen Purse

Date: Mon, Jul 16, 2012

One of our Center Grove residents had her purse stolen as she walked close to Shipping and Matilda this morning around 7:30 a.m.  A white car pulled up and a black male approx 25 yrs old jumped out and took her purse from her.  Fortunately, she was not hurt.
They did get her cell phone, keys, wallet with cash.
Police have taken a report.

Some suggestions-

-do not carry your cell phone in your purse but rather clip it to your belt or waist or in your pocket;
-do not carry your keys in your purse but in your pocket or on a belt loop;

…and carry a minimum amt of cash.

Commander Gentry has relayed that part of the ongoing strategy of the police will be as follows and will remain in place for July and the entire month of August.

1. The zone officer assigned to the Center Grove will maintain their due diligence and ensure their presence at a high level for our citizens within the Center Grove community.  This includes all three shifts.
2. Mounted Patrol will be directed in the area to enhance their visibility.
3. Ofc Vasquez (NRO) will be mandated to be visible within the Center Grove community in our efforts to curtail crime.
4. Officers assigned to our Problem Solving Team will be directed to maintain their due diligence and ensure their presence at a high level for our citizens within the Center Grove community.
5. Police Decoy Vehicle will be strategically placed within Center Grove to enhance our visibility.
6. Beat Officer will be mandated to be visible within the Center Grove community in our efforts to curtail crime.

“Zero Tolerance”  All subjects will be arrested for any violations of the law!

The community has our full support and we will continue our efforts at a high level to curtail crime within Coconut Grove.

Please remind all neighbors to remain attentive to their surroundings and call the Miami Police Department for all suspicious person or vehicles within the community.  Specifically for any persons with a pack back riding a bicycle after midnight with no lights.

SW Grove Urgent Crime Meeting

Tuesday, July 24

7:15 – 8:30 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church – Pilgrim House
3400 Devon Road
Coconut Grove

Southwest Grove Residents –

particularly those within the six-block radius of Loquat, Avacado, Palmetto, Royal Palm, Franklin & Charles bordered by Douglas Road & Hibiscus Street

– are invited to attend an urgent crime meeting Tuesday, July 24, 7:15
– 8:30 pm at Plymouth Congregational Church (see details above).

The meeting is being held to discuss the recent spike in crime in this Southwest Grove area, and is being organized by Southwest Grove resident John Reid, and will feature Grove District Commander Richard Gentry and Comm. Marc Sarnoff.

All concerned residents & homeowners are invited to attend.

John Fitzgerald, Secretary
All-Grove Crime Watch